The Catholic Church has a well-defined theology of marriage, considering it a sacred and sacramental covenant between a man and a woman. Here are key aspects of the Catholic Church's teachings on marriage:
 

Sacrament of Matrimony: In Catholic teaching, marriage is considered one of the seven sacraments, known as the Sacrament of Matrimony. This means that, for Catholics, marriage is not just a social or legal contract but a sacred covenant instituted by God.
 

Nature of Marriage: The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a partnership of the whole of life, a covenant between a man and a woman for their mutual well-being and for the procreation and education of children. This understanding is based on the belief that marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and the Church.
 

Indissolubility: The Catholic Church holds that a valid, sacramental marriage is indissoluble, meaning it cannot be dissolved by any human authority. This is rooted in Jesus' teaching that "what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matthew 19:6).
 

Unity and Fidelity: The Catholic Church emphasizes the unity and fidelity of spouses. The spouses are called to love and honor each other in a committed and exclusive partnership.
 

Openness to Life: The Catholic Church teaches that the marital act should be open to the possibility of procreation. This means that artificial contraception is generally considered incompatible with the Church's teaching on marriage. The Church encourages responsible parenthood through natural family planning methods.
 

Preparation and Celebration: Before entering into marriage, Catholics are expected to undergo premarital preparation, which includes counseling, spiritual guidance, and reflection on the sacramental nature of marriage. The marriage ceremony itself is a liturgical celebration, conducted in a church with a priest or deacon as the official witness.
 

Annulment: While the Church teaches the indissolubility of marriage, it recognizes that not all marriages are valid. In cases where a marriage is found to be invalid (for reasons such as lack of proper consent or impediments), the Church may grant an annulment, declaring that a valid marriage never existed.
 

Family Life: The Catholic Church places a strong emphasis on the importance of family life. Marriage is viewed as the foundation of the family, and the family is considered the basic unit of society.
 

It's important to note that the Catholic Church's teachings on marriage are consistent but may be interpreted and applied with pastoral sensitivity in individual cases. The local diocese and parish community play a role in providing pastoral care and support for married couples.